Hinds Feet on High Places Complete and Unabridged by Hannah Hurnard

Awesome book so enlightening!!!

Loved it all. So many precious promises. The love of God fully displayed. We can all relate to Much Afraid.

What a beautiful story. I started reading this many years ago, and every time that life got too busy, I put it down for a season. When I picked it up again, I would start all over. I wanted to get the full feel of the flow of the book. Well inevitably life would get busy again and I would repeat the process over. I did this several times, over a period of 3-4 years. This book was so precious to me though, that I knew that I wanted to read it to my children (and finally finish it myself) now that I am older. Not that life isn't busy anymore, it is just a different busy and reading stories like this one is what we do take time to do now. I had forgotten about this story (I don't know why) until a friend of mine and I were in a conversation and the thought entered into my mind to lend her my beautiful and only hard copy of the book. A few weeks later, I thought about the book since our family had just finished Brownie the Bear (good book too--just different altogether than this one) and needed a new one to read. This book is an allegory based on Song of Solomon. This book will always hold a special place in my heart. Highly recommended. Especially for single gals who have a relationship with God and are going through a rough part in life and need help to see themselves in God's eyes and a fresh perspective of why God allows Sorrow and Suffering in our lives. We need to understand that their is an end goal...Good read-aloud for the family. The older the audience, the more precious the meaning. My husband and I were tearing up as I was reading a portion of the first chapters. How precious!

We live in a church culture that frowns upon displays of sorrow, doubting, and struggles with sin or imperfection. There is a perception that if you believe hard enough, God will "snap His fingers" and make all of your sorrow, doubt, and struggles go away. Many of the professing Christians who claim this are the same people who claim that, if you do struggle in the aforementioned ways, you are bankrupt in the knowledge of God's love or don't have enough faith. This doctrine is detrimental to the modern church and, most importantly, contrary to what the Bible actually teaches (Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Romans 7:13-25). This marvelous book displays that the Christian's life is, in fact, one of sorrow and suffering. We see the main character constantly doubting herself, sometimes overcoming and sometimes falling into temptation, questioning if her Shepherd really knows what is best for her life, finding the road to the High Places long and difficult, and gradually transforming into someone more beautiful and capable throughout the story. God is omnipotent and more than capable of "snapping His fingers" to make our difficulties vanish...but more often than not, He is actually the one leading us to those difficult paths. Without those seasons, we would not be able to develop in the ways that make us fit for the High Places. There is beauty in the struggle. One of my favorite lines from the book is the following: "You may think that Much-Afraid was altogether too much given to shedding tears, but remember that she had Sorrow for a companion and teacher. There is this to be added, that her tears were all in secret, for no one but her enemies knew about this strange journey on which she had set out. The heart knoweth its own sorrow and there are times when, like David, it is comforting to think that our tears are put in a bottle and not one of them forgotten by the one who leads us in paths of sorrow." This book has the potential to be of immense spiritual benefit to you. God may just use it to bring you comfort as He reveals that you are closer to your Shepherd than you know. This is a great read for everyone, but particularly those brothers and sisters in Christ who are well-acquainted with sorrow and suffering.

Outside of Scripture, this read was one of the most encouraging literary adventures I have ever undertaken. I just finished the book last night and can't wait to start its sequel "Mountains of Spices." For any Christian who walks through the trials of this world being in it but not of it, yet enduring its suffering and sorrow, this book will encourage and edify. I was greatly inspired to look at my own trials a bit differently as I followed the protagonist Much-Afraid along her own path beset with the torments of Pride, Self-Pity, Bitterness, and others. I don't think I can recommend this read highly enough, especially to women. I tend to lean not toward the women's literature or fiction aimed at that demographic, but this book is a rare exception that was worth every minute of my time. In fact, because I read it at nighttime before retiring, I plan to read it again in my waking hours so I can glean yet more treasures from the truths told within. SPOILER ALERT: The only part that I found disappointing was when the Shepherd asked Much-Afraid how she would respond if he lied to her. I found this terribly uncharacteristic of Christ in the Scriptures, and I wonder why the author chose to insert this question into the text. It still did not take away from the richness of the truth found scattered throughout this work that is so true I hesitate to call it fiction, except that the tale is allegorical yet contains within great truth. Don't miss this book if you enjoy Christian reading. It's a gem that I'm grateful to have made the time to read. Onward and upward, much like Much-Afraid, keeping my eyes ever on the Good Shepherd.

This book is a powerful allegory depicting the Christian life. This book is a lot like Pilgrim's Progress. As a matter of fact, the author was greatly influenced by Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. The story is about a girl named "Much-Afraid" who lives in the "Valley of Humiliation" who has a crooked mouth and crooked feet. Even though she is a member of the "Fearings" family, she loves the Shepherd with all of her heart and desires to be in His service. She longs to have "hind's feet" and "leap upon the high places". She also loves the Shepard and desires to be with and be one of his servants. The Shepard knowing her desire to be with him, agrees to give her hinds feet and take her to the high places on one condition - he must place the thorn-like seed of love in her heart. As a member of the Fearing family, plans were under way for her to marry "Craven Fear", who also happened to be her cousin. However, since Much-Afraid has fallen in love with the Shepherd, she no longer desires the things her family members desire. She absolutely does not want to have anything to do with her family nor is she interested in marrying "Craven-Fear". All she wants is to follow the Shepherd to the high places. The Shepherd grants her request and sends her on the journey to high places. He also sends along two companions to help her along the journey, they are to follow her all the days of her journey to the high places. Who are these companions? They are not goodness and mercy, but the very ones whom they Bible tells us will help to build patience and character in our lives as we serve Christ. Along the way, "Much-Afraid" builds a lot of altars where she sacrifices her own will and takes up the Shepherd's will. Through much suffering and enduring, storms, ridicule from loved ones and going through deserts, valleys and pit falls, "Much-Afraid" and her two companions finally reach the high places where their names are changed and they are transformed. Although the journey to the high places was rough and tempestuous and sometimes very scary, the shepherd was always a call away. This is an awesome book that does not paint a rosy "name it and claim it" picture of following Christ, but accurately depicts what it means to follow Christ. To be a true follower of Christ, you have to do what Jesus said to do, which is deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him. This book will make a great addition to your Christian library. It is sad to note that towards the end of her life, the author of this book Hannah Hurnnard wandered away from the Christian faith into the "New Age" movement. As one raised in a Christian home, it seems she knew about Christ, but never really knew Him. Very sad indeed. Reading level 10 and up.

This book is absolutely Amazing! If you are on any kind of spiritual journey, this book can help guide you along the process. It's a very easy read and so insightful. The book is a powerful and graceful reflection into ourselves that can not be ignored or denied. I loved It. I absolutely highly recommend!

This book is about a girl who starts out with the name Much Afraid. She goes on a very long journey up to the high places led by the Shepherd. She is transformed into a new person with a new name. It's quite a journey, and totally drew me into the story. Her story gave me new insight on the rough places in my life. I have a new sense of gratitude toward hard memories and a different picture of compassion toward those who have hurt me in the past. I think this book can be used as a conversation starter with God about places you have been and people you have had dealings with. I plan on re-reading it and using it for just that purpose. The songs and Verses, I believe, can be part of one's journey toward healing and wholeness, if you use it to let God talk to you. Use His Word, yield to His holy Spirit. I'm gonna! Where can His Goodness take us? Wherever and whatever it will be, it will be beyond anyone's imagination, prayer or dream dared to be imagined, prayed, or dreamed!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story which was full of twists and turns. Scripture is quoted which links to the plot. This story could certainly be read to young children. God bless you as you read this book.

Good

I just finished reading this book and found it to be an enchanting allegory of the Christian walk with Christ. Most can identify with the main character Much Afraid and her desire to change and be transformed into the person that the Chief Shepherd wants her to become if she will go on this journey with him. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it if you would like to walk the same walk as Much Afraid

Eu amei esse livro. Meu favorito.

This truly was the best book I've read except the Bible. I had been struggling to really, in my heart of hearts, to believe that the suffering in my life was for a good plan by a truly good God. This book opened my eyes. A beautifully, creatively written story. I will read it again and again for sure. I recommend this to everyone wanting to be transformed and to experience in a different way the love of God.